News.

RSM Design would like  you to meet our summer interns, Graham, Elizabeth and Cooper. The trio are all imports from Dallas and Houston, and will be entering their senior year of high school this fall.

Here to learn the day-to-day functions of working in an environmental graphic design firm, they have so far taken part in attending business meetings, design research and the joys of computer and tech management.

Working in a hip design firm for the summer is  not only fun and educational, but our location in San Clemente, California also has its perks. When they aren’t researching new projects and fixing servers, the three can be found hanging out at the beach, cruising on the boat, having bonfires and filling up on local Mexican food and our town’s tasty Velvet Yogurt.

RSM Design heartily welcomes our interns and hope that they have learned a lot and had some fun at the same time!

Architectural brand identity is what makes a place or project distinctive and recognizable. The brand image works to target a variety of audiences, creating awareness and conveying the environment’s and project’s unique value. A development’s future success rests on its image, its ability to create public awareness and customer loyalty.

A key factor in the image and architectural branding process for Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem was determining the use and implementation of the brand in order to create a cohesive identity that feels consistent with the industrial, contemporary and upscale personality of the project. RSM Design was involved with the naming, logo design and broad scaled project branding on a macro and micro level scale. Large scale architectural branding included not only the name and logo evolution and creation, but also the implementation of this in large scale signs such as the one placed on the historic ore crane. Micro level branding culminated in the Sands & Co. retail shop, the premier merchandise store for the Sands Corporation, where branding was concepted, designed and implemented by RSM. Sands brand collateral includes prototyping and packaging for items including hats, t-shirts, totes, luggage, candy mugs and other similar merchandise.

“Image and perception help drive value; without an image there is no perception.” – Scott M. Davis, Brand Asset Management

‍

RSM Design worked closely with the Sands marketing and operations teams to develop the naming, branding, logos, environmental graphic design and signage for the food, beverage and entertainment venues within the casino and hotel areas of the complex…six very diverse venues ranging from an Irish pub to an urban gourmet market hall to a sophisticated evening martini lounge. Brand and logo standards were developed for each and then carried through to the built signage and interior design within the hotel and casino areas. The different venue branding included:

Molten is a sophisticated evening lounge featuring live music and signature martinis. RSM was involved in the naming, logo, signage and branding to create a modern take on the interpretation of molten steel. Liquid inspired design aesthetics can be found throughout the venue, completing the feeling of a modern and sophisticated evening lounge.

Coil is the centrally located bar in the Casino and features a wide selection of unique liquors and specialty drinks. RSM was involved with the naming, logo, and branding of Coil, drawing from the output products of steel production. RSM complemented the industrial inspired details, which included steel coils that wrap around the center for the bar, with a rich palette of materials. Colors that are warm, rich and inviting create an ambiance befitting for the beverages being served.

Infusion is a specialty bar featuring infused vodka beverages and was also inspired by metal production processes.

The Market Gourmet Express is an urban gourmet food hall offering a variety of local cuisine for a quick serve meal within the casino. RSM created the name, logo and branding that manifested itself as a chic urban cafe space.

Emeril’s Chop House is the premier steak house for world-renowned chef Emeril Lagasse. RSM designed the identity signage which was created to complement the restaurant’s sophisticated and upscale interior.

St. James Gate is an Irish Pub named after the famous gate to the Guinness Brewery in Dublin. RSM was involved in the logo and branding of this venue, ensuring it’s identity as an authentic Irish (not English!) pub.

‍

Throughout the design process for the environmental graphics palette at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, RSM Design worked closely with the numerous consultants and client team, as well as the Smithsonian National Museum of Industrial History, to implement and incorporate artifacts of the steel process into the project. Historic relics original to the site, such as the ore crane,a military cannon barrel and other unique industrial artifacts are among many wonderful items to be preserved and displayed, being juxtaposed with many of the modern interventions on the site. RSM Design planned exhibits and designed numerous murals and educational plaques paying homage to this history and providing timeless and historical information about the legacy of the site.

While investigating and searching through the historic site of the Bethlehem Steel Plant, many old industrial and urban archaeological relics and artifacts were re-discovered. These one-of-a-kind artifacts provided inspiration for both the environmental graphic designs and rich palette of materials used for the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. RSM Design had a rare look into this world, spent numerous hours photographing and sketching the area, and would like to acknowledge the importance that these urban industrial artifacts played in our understanding of the site, its history, and the outcome of the final graphics family.

Where best to be presented with a great design challenge then in your own back yard.

Recently, RSM Design was given the opportunity to peer review and evaluate the city signage proposals for the city of San Clemente, California. In so doing, the whole studio got in on the action by diving into the history of our “Spanish Village by the Sea”, creating a new logo for the city, and designing a new city sign program for the identity and way finding throughout the area.  We enjoyed leading discussions and collaborating with many of the city entities and committees to assist in the implementation of this fresh approach to the city’s image.

Throughout the years, RSM has also worked closely with San Clement’s famed cultural center, the stunning Casa Romantica on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, to design identity monuments, donor recognition plaques, custom tiles, and signage within the center and it’s native gardens.

The RSM Design studio is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage and architecture of our hometown and we thank the many city staff and committee members for allowing us to be a part of this growth.